Attach_01_Performance_Work_Statement.pdf

Performance Work Statement

TUSK 24-005 Paleontological Locality 141 Excavation March 11, 2024

Performance Work Statement Paleontological Excavation

Part 1

General Information

The purpose of this technical narrative is to present the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and the assumptions upon which the PWS and the estimate are based.

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to complete the paleontological excavation and lab preparation of fossils associated with TUSK paleontological locality 141. The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform work as defined in this Performance Work Statement except for those items specified as government furnished property and services. The contractor shall perform to the standards in this contract.

1.2 Background: Columbian mammoth fossils were partially excavated during a historic 1930’s paleontological expedition at what is now TUSK, forming an excavation quarry. When the excavation concluded in 1933, the crew left mammoth fossils behind within the quarry. This locality (TUSK paleontological locality 141) was rediscovered and photographed by scientists at the 1962-1963 Tule Springs expedition, and again in the 2000s during the Upper Las Vegas Wash Conservation Transfer Area project. After the designation of TUSK as a unit of the National Park Service in 2014, TUSK staff and partners have monitored this historic fossil locality regularly since 2018 in six-month intervals.

Over time, weathering and erosion continue to expose additional vertebrate fossils at the surface;

they are being irreparably damaged so rapidly, they may soon lose all scientific value. The rapid rate of loss has become concerning to such an extent that complete excavation is necessary to mitigate resource loss. TUSK does not have sufficient staffing or facilities to complete this excavation and the fossil preparation and stabilization work required for long-term storage in the TUSK museum collection.

1.3 Objectives: Complete 1) the excavation and mapping of TUSK paleontological locality 141

2) skilled preparation and preservation of the excavated specimens for research and 3) a final report to summarize findings. TUSK paleontological locality 141 requires complete excavation to mitigate resource loss from 90+ years of weathering and erosion.

1.4 Scope:

1.4.1 Systematic Excavation and Mapping: The areal extent of this locality is approximately 50m2 (538 ft2). Prior to excavation or surface collection, the contractor will map the site with a meter grid system to be used throughout the excavation. Maps will be provided in PDF Format.

Geospatial data will be provided as shapefiles. Surface collection will involve collecting vertebrate fossils and packaging them for lab transport. As fossils are unearthed during the excavation process, larger elements or articulated elements may require the construction of plaster field jackets.

1.4.2 Fossil Preparation for Scientific Research: Lab preparation and stabilization of excavated fossil specimens, including but not limited to matrix removal, stabilization with chemical consolidants, the construction of storage cradles, and/or piecing together fragmented bone elements. Each specimen (including those with multiple components) will be assigned an NPS catalog number and accessioned into the collection following NPS museum standards and procedures.

1.4.3 Final Accomplishment Report: Contractor will draft a completed project report in Word Document and PDF format, including the dates of fieldwork, the names of the crew members and leads, a map of the excavation quarry, itemized list of all specimens collected, and results and findings from the work completed.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall end on December 31, 2024.

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control The contractor shall develop and maintain an effective quality control program to ensure services are performed in accordance with this PWS. The contractor shall develop and implement procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The contractor’s quality control program is how he assures himself that his work complies with the requirement of the contract. The QCP will be delivered within 30 days after contract reward. After acceptance of the quality control plan the contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to his QC system.

1.6.2 Quality Assurance: The government shall evaluate the contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan. This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.3 Inspection: The Government will conduct inspection upon completion of required services.

Final payment will be processed upon confirming that all noted contractor performance deficiencies have been satisfactorily corrected. Temporary facilities shall be removed prior to final inspection at the end of the project except for those authorized to remain by Contracting Officer. Before scheduling the final inspection, the Contractor must remove all tools, equipment, surplus materials, and rubbish. The Contractor must restore the project area to a natural eroding slope, raking over the surface. Washed sediments recovered from the site will be deposited in an approved location with prior permission from the NPS. The Contractor must replace or refinish fencing, gates, or other infrastructure that are damaged due to work of this contract to previous condition as directed by Contracting Officer. When project is substantially complete, the Contractor must request in writing a final inspection. Upon receipt of written request that project is substantially complete, the Government will proceed with inspection within 10 working days of receipt of request.

1.6.4 Invoicing:

1.6.4.1 Monthly invoices will be submitted via e-mail for approval prior to submitting via Invoice Payment Platform (IPP).

1.6.4.2 Monthly invoices will include contract number, dates of service, work performed and amount invoiced.

1.6.4.3 Payments will be made for the work performed in accordance with the contract terms.

1.6.5 Recognized Holidays: Contractor is not required to perform service on holidays

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veteran’s Day Juneteenth Thanksgiving Day Memorial Day Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6.6 Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall conduct a conference call with the NPS to discuss the overall project goals, planning and schedule no later than 10 calendar days after award. The contractor is responsible for conducting business, between the hours of 05:30-20:00 Monday thru Sunday except Federal holidays or when the monument is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, hazardous weather, or similar Government directed closings. For other than firm fixed price contracts, the contractor will not be reimbursed when the monument is closed for the above reasons. The Contractor must at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the monument is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential.

1.6.7 Place of Performance: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument within the South Unit of the park, at paleontological locality 141.

In accordance with AP&P 1443.37-1 the following requirements will be applicable to any and all on-site contractor personnel:

a) Unless required to perform the work, and stipulated in the contract, NPS staff shall not set hours for contractor personnel or specify where the work shall be performed.

b) When more than one individual is performing on-site from a single contractor, an on-site supervisor or leader for contractor personnel shall be identified by the contractor.

c) NPS may give overall contract performance feedback to the contractor’s supervisor through the CO or Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). NPS personnel may not conduct or give input on performance appraisals for contractor personnel.

d) Contractor personnel shall report leave, scheduling and other such issues to the contractor’s supervisor, not to NPS employees. The supervisor of the contractor shall then communicate this information to the CO and the COR.

e) Work shall be given to contractor personnel through the contractor’s supervisor by the CO or by the COR. NPS personnel may provide technical consultation and cooperation.

All work that government employees give to an on-site contractor shall be consistent with the contract scope of work under which the on-site contractor services were acquired.

f) When federal facilities are closed due to early release for holidays, snow days, etc., contractor personnel shall follow the local policy of the facility.

g) Contractor personnel shall have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the work required by the contract. Training required to update skills shall be paid for by the contractor without a direct charge to the contract or an impact to performance under the contract. Specialized NPS training to enhance already acceptable skills may be allowable on a case-by-case basis as specified in the contract or with advance approval of the CO.

h) Contractor personnel may be required to travel in order to meet the scope of services specified in the contract. Travel by contractor personnel shall be IAW the terms and conditions of the contract and reimbursement of their travel costs shall be IAW the JTR or FTR.

1.6.8 Type of Contract: The government intends to award a firm fixed-price contract.

1.6.11 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The contracting officer, Contracting Officers Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the contractor to review the contractor's performance. At these meetings the contracting officer will apprise the contractor of how the government views the contractor's performance and the contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the government.

1.6.12 Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The (COR) will be identified by separate letter. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: assure that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract: perform inspections necessary in connection with contract performance: maintain written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract: issue written interpretations of technical requirements, including Government drawings, designs, specifications: monitor Contractor's performance and notifies both the Contracting Officer and Contractor of any deficiencies;

coordinate availability of government furnished property, and provide site entry of Contractor personnel. A letter of designation issued to the COR, a copy of which is sent to the Contractor, states the responsibilities and limitations of the COR, especially with regard to changes in cost or price, estimates or changes in delivery dates. The COR is not authorized to change any of the terms and conditions of the resulting order.

1.6.13 Key Personnel: Following award of this work order, the Contractor shall designate a Field Supervisor and Principal Investigator and, after award of a contract, submit a letter to the Contracting Officer and Contracting Officer’s Representative detailing experience that is equal to Key Personnel Requirements clause of the contract. The Field Supervisor shall be responsible for the supervision of the work and overall product quality specified under this project, and shall serve as liaison between the Contractor and the COR. The Field Supervisor shall be onsite during all excavation/field work unless there is prior written permission from the NPS for an additional qualified Field Supervisor or Principal Investigator to be onsite in their place. The COR shall be apprised in advance of any proposed changes in the Field Supervisor by the Contractor.

Contractor’s technical staff shall include qualified paleontologists, according to industry best practices outlined in Murphey et al. (2019)1. The Contractor shall provide a Principal Investigator with demonstrated experience conducting fieldwork, excavation, museum, and/or laboratory work concerning the Las Vegas Formation or other comparable fossil sites with similar geologic context. Paleontological fieldwork within the Las Vegas Formation is complex because the fossils at Tule Springs Fossil Beds are not permineralized or petrified and the stratigraphy is very nuanced; this project requires scientific expertise (following the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act of 2009) to avoid impacts to nonrenewable paleontological resources and preserve scientific data.

1.6.14 Identification of Contractor Employees: All contract personnel attending meetings, answering Government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are Government officials. They must also ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is appropriately disclosed. Contractor personnel not required to obtain and wear badges in the performance of this service.

In accordance with AP&P 1443.37-1 the following requirements will be applicable to any and all on-site contractor personnel:

a) Contractor personnel should not in any way represent themselves as government employees. Contractor personnel shall wear badges clearly identifying them as contractors when working outside of government office space. Badging should be visible at all times. In addition, contractor personnel shall dress in clothing appropriate to the office/environment in which they are working.

1 Murphey, P. C., Knauss, G. E., Fisk, L. H., Deméré, T. A., & Reynolds, R. E. (2019). Best practices in mitigation paleontology. San Diego Society of Natural History

b) Government office space occupied by contractor personnel shall be clearly labeled with the individual’s name and/or company affiliation.

c) Contractor personnel shall be clearly identified as “contractors” in printed material such as telephone directories, etc. They shall be listed separately on organization charts or any other document that shows direct lines of supervision.

d) Contractors shall provide proper identification when making phone calls or speaking to others during performance of their scope of services. This means they shall indicate to the other party that they are a contractor, rather than a government employee.

e) Contractor personnel shall complete all necessary computer and security training/documentation before receiving access to the NPS computer network.

f) Contractor personnel shall not receive "all-employee" e-mail or other communications intended for NPS employees, unless it relates directly to the work the contractor is doing for the NPS or involves health or safety issues, for example security alerts or severe weather conditions. They shall not have access to internal NPS web pages, unless it relates directly to the work the contract employee is doing for the NPS.

g) Unless stipulated in the contract, contractor personnel shall not drive government vehicles.

h) Contractor personnel are not authorized to purchase property and supplies with government funds.

i) Generally, all Government-furnished property shall be set forth in the contract or agreement; however, when it is not, use of additional property must be approved, in advance, by the CO.

j) Contractor personnel shall not be invited to official NPS “social” events, functions, meetings, or orientation tours which are not specific to the contract. However, attendance of contractor personnel at staff meetings, which convey some benefit in the contractor personnel performing their contractual duties, is allowed at the discretion of the CO.

k) Contractor personnel must sign appropriate agreements to protect sensitive, privileged and confidential information.

1.6.15 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the Contracting Officer to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The

Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the Contracting Officer unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the Contracting Officer may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.16 Insurance: The contractor shall be insured in accordance with State of Nevada insurance regulations. The government is not responsible for damage to contractor’s equipment, vehicles, tools or materials or their employees and the personal property brought on-site. The Government will not accept any liability due to contractor employee negligence.

1.6.16.1 Workers Compensation. The contractor shall furnish proof of workers compensation insurance to the Contracting Officer for those employees performing work related to this contract and shall comply with the workman’s compensation laws of the State of Nevada.

1.6.16.2 Liability. The contractor shall maintain a level of insurance that will protect the contractor and the Government from any claims as a result of bodily injury (including death) and property damage which may arise from and during the performance of this contract and shall submit proof of insurance to the Contracting Officer.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER. A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the government.

Note: The only individual who can legally bind the government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S.

Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.5. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the Evaluation Criteria. When key personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.6. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.7. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of contractor performance.

2.1.9. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.10. SUBCONTRACTOR. One that enters into a contract with a prime contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.11. WORK DAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

CO Contracting Officer

CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii)

COR Contracting Officer Representative

COTR Contracting Officer's Technical Representative

COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf

DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement

DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center

FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

CO Contracting Officer

OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest

OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii)

ODC Other Direct Costs

PIPO Phase In/Phase Out

POC Point of Contact

PRS Performance Requirements Summary

PWS Performance Work Statement

QA Quality Assurance

QAP Quality Assurance Program

QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan

QC Quality Control

QCP Quality Control Program

TE Technical Exhibit

READ Resource Advisor

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND

SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will provide paper and digital maps of proposed work area, on site monitors, and applicable site forms.

3.2 Facilities Portable restroom not provided

3.3 Utilities: None provided

3.4 Equipment: A government vehicle may be provided operated by an approved NPS employee, if required

3.5 Materials: When possible, NPS will assist the Contractor in obtaining pertinent documentary materials, historical information, maps, photographs, forms, and other material as available. NPS will provide curation materials including artifact trays, specimen bags, and archival materials.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

4.2 Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable

4.3. Materials: The Contractor shall provide all excavation and preparation materials including but not limited to, plaster, sample bags, chemical consolidants and solvents, excavation hand tools, GPS receivers, etc.

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall provide a field vehicle to access project locality.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. SPECIFIC TASKS:

5.1 TASK 1: Project Conference and Schedule

5.1.1. Project Conference: The Contractor shall conduct a conference call with the NPS to discuss the overall project goals, planning and schedule no later than 10 calendar days after award.

5.1.2 Schedule: The Contractor shall submit a project schedule electronically via email to the Contracting Officer (CO) and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) detailing the specific activity and proposed timing for approval 7 calendar days after award. Changes in the work schedule that involve field work must be coordinated at least 3 days in advance with the CO, COR and the TUSK point of contact. Work on Federal holidays must be requested from CO 3 days in advance and approved in writing.

5.2 TASK 2: Compliance

5.2.1 If previously unknown archaeological resources are discovered during proposed work, all work in the immediate vicinity (200 feet) of the discovery shall be halted pending notification of the Superintendent, the resources are identified and documented, and an appropriate mitigation strategy developed, if necessary, in accordance with pertinent laws and regulations, including the stipulations of the 2008 Programmatic Agreement Among the National Park Service, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers.

5.2.2 Contractor will provide qualified archaeological monitors or paleontologists cross-trained in cultural resources are required to be on-site for any ground-disturbing activity including excavation.

5.2.3 Environmental Compliance. The contractor shall plan and conduct work to support an appropriate level of NEPA compliance for this project. This project falls under a programmatic categorical exclusion for small-scale paleontological excavation. Under this programmatic CE, 15m3 of the ground may be disturbed (depth not to exceed 1m) if the activities occur within the locality boundary before they are advised to reevaluate the project under this programmatic CE with NPS approval. Although biotic in origin, charcoal samples or geologic "black mats" are not considered paleontological resources and may be sampled during excavation for further destructive dating analysis. The contractor shall comply with the Lake Mead NRA and Tule Springs NM programmatic biological opinion for Mojave Desert Tortoise. All contractor personnel are required to attend a briefing on Desert Tortoise prior to performing work on-site.

Briefing must be scheduled in advance through the COR. Briefing will be provided by TUSK staff with scheduling in advance.

5.2.4 Mitigations: Prevent the Introduction and/or Spread of Non-Native Plants: Inspect, remove, and properly dispose of invasive plant seed and plant parts found on clothing, boots, tools, and equipment. Disposal consists of removing the seed and plant parts from clothing and equipment at a spot near the infestation or bagging the seeds and plant parts and disposing in bagged garbage. Clean hand-tools used for excavation. Contractors will be required to thoroughly clean vehicles prior to entering TUSK (carwash may be used).

5.2.5 Protect Native Wildlife: Always comply with food-storage and garbage disposal requirements. Contractor must provide ramps or sloped excavation pit walls for wildlife to enter/exit excavation pits or trenches safely overnight.

5.2.6 Protect Cultural Resources: A crew member qualified for archaeological monitoring is required to be on-site for any ground-disturbing activity including, but not limited to, excavation.

If unknown cultural resources are uncovered during the project, all work will be stopped in the discovery area pending further investigation and consultation. If concealed archaeological resources are encountered during project activities, all necessary steps will be taken to protect them; notify the park’s Integrated Resources Program Manager immediately upon their discovery. In the event that human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony are discovered during project activities, the regulations implementing the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (43 CFR Part 10) shall be followed.

5.3 TASK 3: Planning

5.3.1 Contractor shall prepare a Work Plan that is based off the NPS Detailed Implementation Plan submitted for this project, and a Materials Handling/Waste Disposal Plan. The Work Plan shall meet the requirements of Clark County Stormwater Quality Management Committee and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection for all field activities. The plan must be approved by NPS prior to undertaking any fieldwork.

5.3.2 Safety Plan: The contractor shall prepare a Safety Plan for the subject work. The level of detail shall be commensurate with the expected variety and severity of hazards to be encountered.

5.4 TASK 4: Systematic Excavation and Mapping

5.4.1 Photos will be provided in .jpg format and will be labeled to TUSK standards and protocols. Photo metadata and captions will be provided in the TUSK photo database template spreadsheet provided by NPS.

5.4.2 Prior to excavation or surface collection, the contractor will map the site with a meter grid system- each grid will measure 1 meter x 1 meter. Meter square mapping, documentation, and photography (in .jpg format) will continue throughout the excavation process as sediment is removed downward exposing more fossil material. All documentation other than photographs will be submitted in .pdf format.

5.4.3 Surface collection by the contractor will involve collecting vertebrate fossils, including fragments, from the ground surface and placing them in tissue wrapping and labeled plastic bags or field jackets as needed. Each fossil element (or lot of elements, i.e. a bag of bone fragments) will receive a unique field number.

5.4.4. Subsurface and in situ fossils will be excavated using hand tools such as trowels, picks, and brushes. Fragile bone, ivory tusk material, and tooth enamel may be consolidated using Paraloid B-72 in acetone at various viscosities. As fossils are unearthed during the excavation process, larger elements or articulated elements may require the construction of plaster field jackets. The sediment surrounding the fossils will be excavated to form a small trench, so that the center forms a pedestal. The fossils will be covered in aluminum foil to prevent them from coming into contact with plaster. The contractor will construct the field jacket with overlapping layers of burlap coated in plaster, or pre-plastered strips. The plaster will be allowed to cure between layers. Once the plaster has cured, the jacket may be safely overturned. Additional plaster strips will be applied to the newly exposed side of the jacket to complete it, if deemed necessary. The jacket will be transported to a field vehicle for temporary holding at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, the designated repository for the TUSK museum collection.

5.5 TASK 5: Fossil Preparation for Scientific Research:

5.5.1 Field jackets and other recovered fossils will be loaned to the contractor to facilitate lab preparation. A formal loan agreement between TUSK and the contractor will be signed and in place prior to the loaning of specimens. A Receipt for Property will be used for documenting fossils as they are removed from the site.

5.5.2 Broken elements may be pieced together using reversible glues and consolidants. Field jackets may be prepped mostly using hand tools, such as picks, awls, and smaller brushes. Bone, ivory, or enamel may be stabilized using Paraloid B-72 in acetone at various viscosities. Fossils will be identified to the most specific taxonomic classification and anatomical element allowable.

5.5.3 The contractor will provide an excel spreadsheet with completed specimen catalog information following the template provided by TUSK. The contractor will package each specimen with an NPS-provided museum object label tag before returning the loan to TUSK.

5.6 TASK 6: Final Report

5.6.1 The contractor will prepare a final report in Word Document and PDF formats documenting the excavation that will be archived with digital backups. Field notes, photographs, and documents will be archived at TUSK with digital backups. The draft, proposed final, and final report shall be submitted electronically and include a copy of all maps and figures.

5.6.2 The contractor shall format the original files, so they meet accessibility requirements and standards as defined by the United States Access Board in compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures. Abide by any OSHA standard applicable to trenching and excavation.

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Locality Photographs Figure 1

7.3. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Locality Photographs Figure 2

7.4. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Locality Photographs Figure 3

7.5. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Locality Map Figure 4

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary

The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective

Standard Performance Threshold (This is the maximum error rate. It could possibly be “Zero deviation from standard”)

Method of Surveillance

(1) General & Contractor Requirements Sections 1 (Page 1-11) and 4 (Page 14)

Contractor is required to meet all requirements found within Sections 1 & 4

95% Contractor is allowed 5% deviation.

Government Inspection

(2) Systematic Excavation and Mapping, Section 5.4 (Page 16-17)

Contractor is required to meet all requirements found within Section 5.4, including but not limited to mapping the excavation site with a meter grid system, scientific excavation of in situ and surface paleontological resources, and full documentation according to industry best practices.

95% Contractor is allowed 5% deviation in required work specs provided deviation does not violate principles or applicable laws and regulations.

Government Inspection

(3) Compliance, Section

5.2 (Page 15-16)

Contractor is required to meet all requirements found within Section 5.2 relating to environmental compliance, cultural and natural resources, mitigating the spread of invasive plants, and protecting wildlife.

95% Contractor is allowed 5% deviation in required work specs provided deviation does not violate principles or applicable laws and regulations.

Government Inspection

(4) Fossil Preparation for Scientific Research, Section 5.5 (Page 17)

Contractor is required to meet all requirements found within Section 5.5, including but not limited to lab preparation, piecing, chemical consolidation, and curation according to industry best practices.

95% Contractor is allowed 5% deviation in required work specs.

Government Inspection

(5) Report Writing, Section

5.6 (Page 17)

Contractor is required to meet all requirements found within Section 5.6

95% Contractor is allowed 5% deviation in required work specs.

Government Inspection and Peer Review

(6) Safety and Security Program

Sections 1.6.9 (Page 4-7), 6 (Page 18), and 5.3 (Page 16)

Contractor shall comply with all required Federal and state OSHA Standards and/or local laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations. Contractor shall meet all requirements within sections 1.6.9, 5.3, and 6.

100% Contractor shall be responsible for any/all fines imposed by violating OSHA Standards

Government Inspection

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

Figure 1. TUSK paleontological locality 141 in 1962 (top) and today (bottom). Pleistocene age Columbian mammoth fossils are visible on the ground surface. Surface weathering and erosion are evident by comparing the fossils’ condition today to historic photographs. This site was first excavated in January 1933. Top image courtesy of University of Michigan.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3

Figure 2. Overview photograph of locality 141 facing northeast, with fossils exposed at the surface in the center of the photograph.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 4

Figure 3. Close-up photograph of in situ fossils and paleontological resources as float on top of the ground surface at locality 141.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 5

Figure 4. Diagram of TUSK paleontological locality 141. The site is approximately 50 m2 (538 ft2). Bone orientation measurements are in azimuth degrees. The scale bar measures 1 meter.